Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 89535 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89535 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
I see the moment all the tension and stress leaves West’s stance.
“Even if I still can’t tell the difference between the twins?”
“Even then. Though if you want, I can shave an E and a B in the back of their heads.”
“We’ll save that as a last resort.” West comes closer and hugs me this time. “And I love you too.”
22
Kole
What is it about two brothers showing emotion to each other that warms me inside?
I’m so soft after seeing Asher and West hug that, yes, I’m in danger of tearing up too. They finally part, and Asher sniffs before swiping at his eyes.
“Okay, I’m done with this shit.”
“It suits you, little brother.”
“Fuck off, West.” Aww, even the insult is missing his usual aggression.
I’m so preoccupied by all the happy feels that it takes me a moment to notice when Asher takes my hand and tugs me toward the kitchen door.
My gaze immediately darts to Coach Dal—West as he crosses his arms and leans back against the counter.
“Why is Kole here?” he asks, voice heavy with suspicion.
Asher’s hand tightens around mine for a moment. “Studying.” Then he pulls me away down the hall.
“Your brother totally knows,” I whisper.
Asher opens a door and motions for me to go first down the stairs. “He doesn’t know shit.”
“You sure about that?”
He doesn’t answer immediately as he follows me down to his room.
It’s … well, a basement. There’s a washer and dryer with a basket of dirty laundry along one wall, then a bed, couch, and TV tucked into the opposite side of the room.
Asher walks over and drops onto the couch, then pats the spot beside him. “Would it be so bad if he did know?”
“If he told my dad, yes.”
“It’s just sex, right? It’s not like there’s much to tell. We’re adults, we can do that.”
“Yeah, as far as Dad is concerned, I’m still a kid who makes dumb choices. Do you really think him finding out I’m sleeping with you is going to help that perception?” I shift around so I’m facing him. After what happened, I want to be as close to him as possible, but I can’t tell him that.
Apparently I don’t need to, because Asher reaches for my legs and pulls them over his lap. “I am a dumb choice.”
His joke falls dead when he doesn’t even try to inject any humor into his tone. It makes me want to argue back that’s not true at all, but …
“Come on.” I cup his jaw and tilt his face toward me. “We know that’s not true, but we also know Dad won’t see it that way. You don’t make it easy for people to like you.” I stroke my thumb along his jaw, before meeting his eyes. They’re still a little red, which makes the green even more vibrant.
“And yet, you’re here anyway.”
Even though he phrases it like a statement, I can feel the question between us.
Why?
Why didn’t he scare me away like he does with everyone else?
“I’ve always seen through your bullshit.”
“And called me on it.”
“Which you liked.”
He leans into my hand. “I think I did. Even while I hated it.”
“You’re welcome, then.”
He snickers. “So sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
“I have no reason not to be.”
Asher’s stare drops to my lips. “You really don’t.”
His mouth presses softly to mine as he steers me onto his lap. The kiss itself isn’t a surprise, but when he wraps his arms around me, holding me close, and makes no move to deepen it or speed things up, it is.
One hand moves to my hair, running softly through it before trailing his fingertips over my neck. A shiver racks through me, and I pull back.
“Should we, ah, study first?”
He meets my eyes. “No.”
No. That’s the only answer he gives me before he’s kissing me again. He’s more confident this time, but he still doesn’t make a move to heat things up. His touches to my back, my face, my arms are light and filled with purpose and some meaning I can’t catch. It sits heavy between us. Makes me shake with need.
And after sex last night, and our closeness this morning, and Asher’s vulnerability this afternoon … the more turned on I get, the more I want to crush Asher to me and never let go. Like my heart is connected to my dick, and both feel equally as needy for his attention.
Is a heart-on a thing?
I’m making it a thing.
“You sure about your clothes-on rule?” I pant against his wet lips.
“Mhmm. You never know when one of them might come thundering down here.”
“No fair.” I grind my hips down into him. “Why get me all worked up, then?”
He brushes my hair back. “How are you such a brainiac when you’re always thinking with your dick?”
“You make me dumb.” He does. Dumb in the best possible way. He makes me turn off from everything. He reminds me to feel and experience and live. I’ve always known this thing with Asher was a terrible decision, but I made it anyway.